Introducing Google 'My Maps'

Wouldn't it be great to create your own personalized Tourist Map, showing people pictures and videos of famous or notable places, or just favourite places that you like to hang out?

Knowing how to do this will be useful for your Geography projects, History assignments, for planning committees or groups at school, and for planning trips.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

During the next couple of periods, you'll be making your own City Tour, meant to persuade 12-13 year old tourists from overseas to visit your neighbourhood and the Greater Toronto Area.

1. You will collaborate in groups of 2-3 people.
2. The tour should start at our school and can end at any tourist destination in our city OR neighbourhood (Rogers Centre, CN Tower, etc.).
3. Your map should include "placemarks" to shopping, parks, historical/cultural monuments, schools, restaurants or anything else that would be of interest to someone your age. Make a list in Google Docs beforehand to help you plan out your route.
4. Make your City Tour unique and creative. What places would you like to visit if you were a tourist? Pick places that are not common.
5. For each place you choose, embed a picture or video, if possible.
6. Watch this tutorial first (right-click and open in new tab): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftFnot5uXw&feature=relmfu This video tutorial will show you how easy it is to create your own map. Have it ready in another tab.
7. For help doing anything, visit this Help Page (right-click and open in new tab): http://maps.google.com/support/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=guide.cs&guide=21670&topic=21676&from=21676&rd=2
8. REMEMBER: most of you are trying this technology for the first time. Your map doesn't have to be perfect. You're just experimenting so take your time. Making mistakes and being confused is part of learning something new.